Students against depression

University life can, at times, be shallowly painted as a one-dimensional, carefree time of fun and happiness. It’s true that for most students university is a rewarding and happy time. However, this stereotype can make it hard for students who are depressed or having problems to speak up or ask for help.

Depression can make you feel like a different person

A new, revamped website – Students Against Depression – has been launched, with the aim of talking openly and frankly about student depression, and providing information and resources for students who are suffering from depression. The site is a Charlie Waller Memorial Trust project.

Depression is the most common problem brought to university and college counselling services. It’s a good sign that so many students do ask for help when they’re having problems. Unfortunately though, many people suffering from depression don’t ask for help. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has estimated that in the UK, up to 50% of those affected by depression don’t seek any form of professional help. Young men are particularly unlikely to seek help for mental health problems.

Denise Meyer, a key figure behind the site, hopes it will help to break down some of the stigma surrounding depression. She told us: “The Students Against Depression project aims to reach out to young people who might not otherwise seek help for depression, to provide substantial self-help information and to challenge barriers to help-seeking.”

Student issues

It’s important not to worry that going to university is going to make you depressed. Students are no more likely to be affected by depression than those of the same age and background in the general population. However, Denise Meyer explains: “There are aspects particular to student life which may play a role in triggering or reinforcing depression in some of those who are vulnerable to it.”

The site focuses on some of the specific issues which can trigger student depression, such as living away from home, the stress of exams, perfectionist thinking and the tendency for students to live a fairly erratic and unhealthy lifestyle of late nights and cheap drinks.

Students may also experience worry or stress over financial issues, homesickness, relationship problems and even culture shock. The site reinforces the important message that whatever the reason for unhappiness, it is valid and normal.

Not alone

Depression often leaves people feeling isolated and alone. To counteract this, the site includes a number of firsthand accounts from students who have suffered and overcome depression. Denise Meyer explained the importance of this: “Reading honest, open accounts of the depression of others in similar circumstances can be profoundly comforting.”

She went on: “Depression affects people differently, and different strategies work for different people in overcoming depression. By providing many viewpoints and examples the site aims to demystify depression and provide inspiration that there are many ways in which severe depression and suicidal thinking can be tackled and overcome.”

There is obviously a need for a site such as this. Since September 2005, use of the site has steadily grown and there have been over 200,000 visitors. One student who used the site said: “This website has given me an entirely new perspective on the issue of depression….Thank you, it may have just saved my life.”

Given the site’s aims Denise Meyer highlighted one feedback response she found particularly heartening: “I just wanted to email you and tell you how useful your site has been and that I believe its finally given me the ‘kick up the arse’ to go to the doctor and sort myself out. You’ve made a real difference. Thank you so much.”

If you’re feeling depressed or worried about the mental health of a friend, there’s always somewhere you can turn. You can seek advice in person through counselling run by your student union, or you can go straight to your doctor. Alternatively you can call a service such as Nightline or the Samaritans. You can even receive support and guidance by email these days.

Go to Students Against Depression for thought-provoking accounts of student who have overcome depression, and to find out more information on the range of support available.

Image courtesy of www.studentdepression.org

Case study – Anna’s Story

During her second year at university, Anna suddenly found that everything in her life felt negative. She became irritable and angry, and felt that all her friends were against her. Thinking that depression was something which happened to older people, she felt ashamed and utterly alone with her feelings. These included guilt related to an episode of abuse when she was younger. She now feels very proud of how she managed to tackle and overcome this depression.

Click here to find out more about Anna’s situation and how she improved it.